Is it possible that neither candidate could get the 270 El. Col. votes

[mistertrickster]

for a win?

What would happen in the event of a tie?

[Dookus]

1. let's go to the rulebook

which is the constitution.

The only way nobody gets a majority is if a third-party wins a few states. That won't happen.

So if there's a tie, it goes to the House of Representatives to elect the President, and the Senate to elect a Vice President. Given the current makeup of both houses, it's a Bush/Cheney win.

[mistertrickster]

9. Are you sure about that? Because Rasmussen Reports makes it

sound as though the two candidates are split without either one getting enough EC votes.

-quote-

"While there has been a slight shift in the President's direction over the past two weeks, it's important to note that the race for the White House remains essentially tied. Our current Electoral College projection shows Bush with 213 Electoral Votes to 207 for Kerry. The magic number needed for victory is 270 Electoral Votes."

-end quote-

Wouldn't it be weird if Bush "won" again without really winning. Would we finally trash the archaic electoral college system once and for all?

[dsc]

12. Not true they could tie

There is actually a pretty reasonable looking senario for a tie this time. If I recall it would be Kerry winning all of Gore's states and Nevada.

[Dookus]

13. You're right

I spoke too quickly. They COULD tie, but it would have to be a very very special combination of states. I answered too quickly.

Yes, in the event of a tie, it goes to the House.

[Pepperbelly]

2. yes ... a 269-269 is possible and the election ...

would be decided in the House.

[Infomaniac]

3. The House of Represenatives

It would be thrown into the House of Represenatives. I think that even if Kerry won the popular vote, the House would split along party lines and go for Bush.

[Awsi Dooger]

4. Essentially, we are betting on Kerry -1/2 electoral vote

Tie loses

[Gothmog]

5. .Ties are possible

A tie would be broken by the House of Rep. which would be bad news for Senator Kerry.

[LTR]

6. It could happen

And not just with a 269-269 tie. There could be some renegade electors. In the past, renegades have cast token votes for non-candidates and even VPs such as Lloyd Bentsen in 1988. One DC elector in 2000 witheld her vote in protest of DC not being able to obtain statehood. Anything can happen.

[NYC Liberal]

7. It goes to Congress.

The House decides the President. Each state delegation gets one vote.
The Senate decides the Vice President.

So, as unlikely as it seems...if we took the Senate, it would be theoretically possible to have a Bush/Edwards WH.

Anyone know if its the 108th or the 109th Congress that would decide?

[wuushew]

14. The new Congress would decide

Since the Electoral votes are opened January 6th by the new Congress which per the XX Amendment begin their term January 3rd. The Congress has from January 6th-20th to decide the election or else Dick Cheney would become the 44th POTUS.

[Endangered Specie]

15. It would be the 109th.

[NYC Liberal]

8. It goes to Congress.

The House decides the President. Each state delegation gets one vote.
The Senate decides the Vice President.

So, as unlikely as it seems...if we took the Senate, it would be theoretically possible to have a Bush/Edwards WH.

Anyone know if its the 108th or the 109th Congress that would decide?

[liberalpragmatist]

10. YES - Here are MAPS of possible electoral college ties

These are ALL possibilities for a tie. Check out this link:

http://uselectionatlas.org/BLOG/index.php?p=72

Here are the possibilities for a tie that Dave Leip, the site manager, has counted. He's counted 14 but says there are probably more.

Please note, on his site, red is for Democrats; blue is for the Republicans (that was the methodology that was usually applied in the past, although it switched to the opposite over the last few cycles.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.


6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

Astounding.

[wuushew]

17. More...many many more

From twenty-one swing states over 22,000 ties are possible out of over two million combinations.

I have the master list if you want. A smaller list can be generated simply by filtering the master list as to certain state being considered swing or not.

300+ are present using the eleven really close states that Gore won/lost in 2000.

[FATNED]

11. Nebraska is the key!

A little absurd but I have a fantasy whereby my native state determines the election. Hear me out...
I'm not sure of what scenario brings us a 269-269 tie but I'm sure it involves Nebraska's 5 EVs going to Bush; A democrat hasn't won that state since Noah's flood. But Nebraska splits it's EVs: 2 to the statewide winner and one for each of 3 congressional districts. The capital, Lincoln is in District 2 and while not exactly liberal, is certainly bluer than the rest of the state. In my dream, God smiles down and that one EV goes Kerry/Edwards. That's 270-268. I'm embarrassed to say I don't remember if it takes 270 or 271 but would this mean a Democratic victory...? Maybe Kerrey's thinking about this scenario; Candidates NEVER campaign in Nebraska because it's so solidly Republican but My brother in Lincoln claims that Kerry and Edwards are planning a campaign stop there soon. Plus Michael Moore is apparently swinging by soon. Are they trying to grab that 1 EV?
I would swoon with hometown pride if Nebraska is the state that sends Bush back to the ranch. What a delightful fuck you that would be.

[Endangered Specie]

16. It takes 270 to win.